Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

At restaurants one of my favorite appetizers is Spinach & Artichoke Dip, I can delusion myself into thinking it is healthy, it is filled with veggies after all! I decided to make up my own version, I thought about looking at a recipe but figured that would blow my mind about what really goes into one of my favorite dips, so I just winged it and am pretty darn happy with the results.



Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta: Serves 4

8oz Pasta
1/2C Chicken Stock
2/3C Fat Free Milk
6TB Cream Cheese (1/3 Less Fat)
1/3C Grated Parmesan Cheese
1TB Cornstarch
14oz Canned Artichoke Hearts - Packed in Water
1/2lbs Fresh Spinach
1/2lbs Chicken Breast - Cubed
2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
1tsp Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta, cook until al dente, drain and place back in the pot. While the pasta is cooking mix together the chicken stock, milk, cream cheese, parmesan cheese and corn starch and place in the refrigerator until the end of the recipe.

In a large skillet heat the garlic and olive oil over medium heat for 45-60 seconds, add the chicken with some salt and pepper and cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, set the chicken to the side. I chopped up my artichokes into 1/2" chunks then tossed in the skillet after I had finished the chicken to warm them through for 4-5 minutes then added to the chicken dish on the side. Lastly add a scoop of the pasta water (or water from the tap) into the skillet, add the spinach with salt and pepper, cover and cook for 3-4 minutes until fully wilted. Remove the spinach to a colander and push out as much liquid as possible (I use a spatula and smash the spinach as much as possible).

Okay time to put it all together (believe it or not the chicken, artichokes and spinach part I was able to do in the time it took for the water to boil and pasta to cook). With the pasta in the pasta pot add the sauce and turn the heat onto medium and stir until it starts to simmer. Continue to stir and the sauce will thicken up quickly to a gravy like consistency. Add the chicken, artichokes and spinach, stir and cook another minute or two to incorporate all the flavors. Remove from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes then serve and enjoy.

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WW: 10 Points Plus / serving